And carry home his stale commodities.
This was a prudent law, and so enforced,
That youth or age might safely go to market
And bring home what was good at a fair price.—Anon.
Alexis. (Book VI. § 10, p. 359.)
I still maintain that fish do hold with men,
Living or dead, perpetual enmity.
For instance, now, a ship is overset,
As sometimes it may happen,—the poor wretches
Who might escape the dangers of the sea
Are swallow'd quick by some voracious fish.
If, on the other hand, the fishermen
Enclose the fish, and bring them safe to shore,
Dead as they are they ruin those who buy them,
For they are sold for such enormous sums
That our whole fortune hangs upon the purchase,
And he who pays the price becomes a beggar.—Anon.
From the same. (Book vi. § 12, p. 359.)
If one that's poor, and scarcely has withal To clothe and feed him, shall at once buy fish, And pay the money down upon the board, Be sure that fellow is a rogue, and lives By depredation and nocturnal plunder. Let him who has been robb'd by night, attend The fish-market at early dawn, and when He sees a young and needy wretch appear, Bargain with Micion for the choicest eels, And pay the money, seize the caitiff straight, And drag him to the prison without fear.—Anon.
The same.
Mark you a fellow who, however scant
In all things else, hath still wherewith to purchase
Cod, eel, or anchovies, be sure i' the dark
He lies about the road in wait for travellers.
